On Sunday, President Donald Trump said that homeless people living in Washington, D.C., must leave the city “immediately.” He promised they would be moved to places far away from the capital. His goal is to make the city “safer and more beautiful.”
Why This Matters
Washington, D.C. is not a state but a special federal district. This means Congress has control over it, not a state governor. Because of this, if the president tries to take control of the city, it could cause big legal and political problems.
Trump already has unusual power over D.C., including control of the D.C. National Guard. Ignoring local leaders might lead to more federal control or even military involvement in the city.
This could make things worse for the people of D.C., who already don’t have full control over their own city government. They don’t have voting representatives in Congress, and Congress can override their local laws.
What President Trump Said
Trump posted on Truth Social saying, “We’re having a News Conference tomorrow in the White House. I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
He added, “Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK.”
This announcement comes as federal police have been more active in D.C., and after Trump’s earlier threats to take direct control of the city.
What’s Happening Now
Trump has often criticized the city’s leaders, calling D.C. unsafe and badly managed. Now, he’s increasing pressure on the homeless population and promising tougher law enforcement.
This follows a government order from March that created the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. This group works to:
- Enforce laws against drug use and vandalism
- Remove homeless camps on federal land
- Help local police with hiring and keeping officers
- Strengthen rules for holding people before trial
- Clean and fix up federal monuments and parks
The National Park Service has already removed more homeless camps, as part of a bigger effort to crack down on crimes like fare evasion on public transit.
Even though Trump says crime is rising, police data shows violent crime in D.C. is actually down 26% this year compared to last year. This includes fewer murders, robberies, and assaults. Carjackings have dropped 37%.
What Others Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump is committed to making our nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors.”
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for D.C., spoke about youth crime and said young criminals need to be held responsible instead of being treated too leniently.
What Could Happen Next
If the president tries to take full federal control of D.C.’s police or change its local government rules, there will likely be strong legal fights. This could start a long battle over who controls the city and how much freedom its people have.
